Beef Prices Soar: Nigerians Adapt to Smaller Portions

 

The economic challenges faced by Nigerians have led to changes in the availability and pricing of beef, a staple in their meals. Vanguard News reports that consumers are feeling the impact of the increasing prices of goods and services, including food items like beef, which has also decreased in quantity. As a result, many people have stopped patronizing food vendors. The report highlights that both restaurants and street food vendors have resorted to cutting beef into smaller pieces while maintaining the same cost. Previously, larger portions of beef were sold for prices ranging from N50 to N200, but now the same amount is diced into smaller pieces and sold at the same price.

The objective behind this strategy is to sustain their businesses and retain customers who still enjoy having beef with their meals. Mrs. Banks Smart, a food vendor, explains that she used to sell large portions of beef for N100, but now the same size costs N200 due to the high cost of meat and the decrease in quantity. As a result, vendors have started integrating the diced beef into the rice, selling the combination for N500 per portion instead of selling rice and meat separately. This adjustment reflects the challenging economic climate where the price of food items increases daily.

The rising prices of beef are corroborated by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which reported a significant increase in the average price of 1 kilogram of boneless beef. According to the NBS Selected Food Prices Watch for March 2024, the average price rose by 73.78% on a year-on-year basis, from N2,479.61 in March 2023 to N4,309.16 in March 2024. On a month-on-month basis, the average price increased by 17.91% from N3,654.56 in February 2024.

These economic challenges have not only affected food vendors but also various sectors of the economy. The increase in beef prices is attributed to factors such as the high cost of meat, decreased supply, and rising transportation costs due to the increase in petrol prices. The situation has left vendors and consumers grappling with higher expenses and reduced purchasing power, highlighting the impact of the economic downturn on everyday life in Nigeria.

Gluten-Free Living: A Path to Digestive Bliss and Radiant Skin

According to a post shared on May 13, 2024, by Punch News, the author's mother shared her personal experiences with gluten intolerance. During a festive period, the author's mother tasted the water from indomie (a popular brand of instant noodles) to check the seasoning, and the next day, she woke up with a swollen and painful foot. On another occasion, she experienced a similar reaction after being present while spaghetti was being cooked, even though she didn't consume it.

The author proceeds to discuss the symptoms of gluten-related disorders, which can include digestive issues, skin problems, neurological issues, weight loss, nutrient deficiencies, and more. To manage gluten intolerance, there are various gluten-free food options available. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, gluten-free grains (such as quinoa, buckwheat, and oats), animal proteins, nuts, seeds, spices, and healthy fats and oils are mentioned as gluten-free choices.

The author emphasizes the importance of reading food labels and avoiding gluten-containing grains like wheat, barley, and rye. They advise against consuming baked goods made from these grains and mention the possibility of gluten in seasonings, thickeners, marinades, and even medications. The difference between celiac disease and gluten intolerance is briefly explained, with gluten intolerance being described as a sensitivity rather than an autoimmune response.

The author suggests alternative flours for those with gluten intolerance, such as cassava flour, plantain flour, sorghum flour, millet flour, fonio (acha) flour, oat flour (if tolerated), white rice flour, brown rice flour, potato flour, almond flour, coconut flour, and corn flour. They highlight the importance of paying attention to the body's reactions to different foods and seeking medical advice for a proper diagnosis.

The author concludes by mentioning a study that suggests women are more commonly diagnosed with celiac disease and adds a lighthearted comment about instigating legal action against gluten if it were a person, given its higher prevalence in women.

The Impact of Weight Gain in Middle Age: Increased Risk of Premature Death and Cardiovascular Events

Gaining weight in your 40s and 50s can increase the likelihood of premature death by almost a third compared to maintaining a slim physique during middle age. People with slightly elevated blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugars and carrying excess weight are up to 30 percent more likely to die younger. These traits also raise the risk of heart attacks or strokes over the next 30 years.

A study conducted in Sweden between 1990 and 1999 examined around 34,000 individuals in their 40s and 50s who participated in a cardiovascular screening program. Participants completed a questionnaire about their lifestyle habits, medical history, and socioeconomic factors. Findings revealed that 15 percent of the participants met the criteria for metabolic syndrome, which included certain measurements for waist circumference, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood glucose.

After accounting for factors like physical inactivity, BMI, and living situation, researchers discovered that individuals with metabolic syndrome were more likely to experience cardiac events earlier in life. More than a quarter of those with metabolic syndrome died compared to a fifth of those without the condition, making them 30 percent more likely to die within that time frame. They were also 33 percent more likely to experience non-fatal heart attacks and strokes.

Metabolic syndrome affects approximately one in four UK adults, with increasing obesity levels being a major factor. Each condition on its own, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, can damage blood vessels, but having all three together poses a particularly dangerous situation.

To reduce the risk, it is important to adopt simple measures like maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and avoiding smoking. If lifestyle changes alone are insufficient, consulting with a GP can provide guidance on medication that can help mitigate the risk.

How To Make Nigerian Fried Rice

Fried rice is one of the most widely eaten Nigerian food; it is accepted by almost every Nigerian both at home and in Diaspora. The process of making fried rice is a bit complicating but gets easier with time. In case you experience any difficulty while making any of the food on this site you can always send a mail across, here is my contact page.
Here is the complete ingredient for making this delicious Nigerian food although some of them could be omitted depending of personal preferences.

Ingredients for Nigeria fried rice. (6-8 persons) 

1. 4 cups of rice
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2. 5 cups of sliced Cabbage
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3. 2 cups of sliced Carrot
4.  Green beans {2 cups}
5.  Peas {half cup}(optional)
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6. 1 cup of sliced Green pepper
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7. Liver {0.3kg}
8.  Meat {2kg}(chicken, beef or goat meat)
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9. Vegetable oil {150ml}
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10. 1 cup of sliced Onions
11.  Curry powder (coloring spice) {2 Tablespoons}
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12. Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Most Nigerian foods start with you parboiling the meat to be used, Most Niaja foods including fried rice goes along with fried or cooked meat. The most popular meat in Nigerian is either chicken or beef. Parboil the goat meat, chicken or any other you chose with all the necessary ingredient (teaspoon of salt, half cup of sliced onions, teaspoon of thyme spice, teaspoon of curry, 2 cubes of maggi or knorr). Allow the meat to cook for ten to fifteen minutes, taste for salt, then pick out and grill, deep fry or barbecue. Be sure to reserve the stock (meat water)

Chop the cabbage, green beans, carrot, liver and set aside in a wide tray as you can find in the video below or the image above. This process is easy, I normally use just a knife and chopping board or a tray.

Remove the white center seeds from the green pepper and also slice.

Parboil the 4 cups of rice also and cook with half of the meat stock (water from the meat) and two cups of water, cook until it is about 80% done. (You will learn more about this from the video below). You have to observe the rice closely. it doesnt need to be too soft or too hard, just almost done. You can add water as you observe.

Here is how to make Fried Rice In Nigeria

Set your cooking pot on heat, allow to dry, then pour in about 150ml of groundnut or vegetable oil (some folks also prefer cooking margarine) If you want to use cooking margarine 150g would be enough.
Note: It is better to continue with the same oil you used while frying the meat (that is only if you fried the meats), you can reduce it to 150ml.
Allow to heat then add the sliced onions stir for 1-2 minutes then add the chopped carrot and green beans, any of this two can actually go first. Add the cabbage also. Stir for 1-2 minutes then add the curry powder (Curry is a yellowish spice that actually adds the yellowish color of fried rice, add and stir till you are satisfied with the color.) meat stock (water from the meat), add ground pepper (optional), add a teaspoon of salt and the chopped liver, add 1-2 cubes of maggi or knorr then stir and taste, you may add more salt. You would have a yellowish mixture which would often taste overly spiced, don’t worry the rice would balance the taste. (If it doesn’t taste overly spiced it is advisable to add another cube of maggi and salt so it doesn’t become tasteless after you add the white rice {a trick}).

If you are satisfied with the taste then add the green pepper, stir, add the almost-done white rice, stir, cover your pot and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, you are done with fried rice.
Serve with the fried or grilled meat (chicken, beef etc.)

Source:All Nigeria Food